Before & After: How Exterior Repairs Protect and Transform Homes

Homeowners can neglect spaces on the exterior of their home they do not see as often as those rooms inside the home that get everyday use. Often, the first sign of a problem on your exterior appears in a cosmetic way such as chipped paint, rotted wood or loose siding. While the cosmetics of these issues can be eye sore, and decrease your home's value, what is hiding behind those issues can be detrimental to your home. 

At Brace A-Cross, we specialize in fixing up exterior eye sores and major issues to give your home the look and peace of mind you deserve. Recently, we had the honor of working on two homes that needed some exterior work. The first, mainly cosmetic with the house needing a new fresh facelift on the exterior with a new paint color while the other was facing serious issues with wood rot. 

Exterior Face Lift: How Paint can Transform the Look of your Home 

When looking to update an outdated exterior, often, paint is the best place to start. Repainting wood trim or replacing siding can give your home's exterior a fresh new look. Recently, homeowners have opted to paint their brick homes one color to give it uniformity and a clean appearance. Painting exterior orange or red brick to a clean, neutral white can allow you to accent the home with pops of color in several ways. A bold color blue or pop of yellow on an entry door can really stand out against a fresh, white brick exterior. Painting your trim a crisp black or an off white/gray neutral can give the exterior of your home a modern look. Landscaping also pops when you have a clean white brick exterior. Tropicals and perennials can come to life with their bold and bright colors when you have a neutral white backdrop. If your home is filling dated and you want to up your curb appeal, exterior paint is a great first place to start! 

Rotted Wood, Loose Siding and Hidden Threats to your Home 

Exterior paint can update the look of your home but may not address potential threats looming to the structural elements of your home. Homes that have siding or wood can face a real problem if loose siding or wood rot goes without repair. Moisture is your biggest concern as the loose exterior protection can allow for mold, mildew and other unwanted bacteria to fester. To avoid these potential issues, it is best to replace loose siding and wood rot on the exterior of your home. When replacing siding, it is often the case that the home needs a complete overhaul of all the siding in order to keep it matching and uniform. Replacing just a couple of pieces of siding can make your home look disjointed. The benefit to replacing all of your siding is that you can choose a color that not only protects your home but gives a fresh, new look to your exterior. 

Wood rot is often an overlooked threat as it is hidden amongst the other exterior elements of your home such as brick in the form of trim or accent siding. Checking your home regularlry for wood rot, deterioration and chipping paint is an important first step to ensuring your home is safe from the outside in. When looking at wood on the exterior of your home,check for  dark or discolored wood, soft/spongy textures, musty smells, and peeling paint, then confirm with the screwdriver or poke test where a tool sinks in easily, indicating crumbling, mushy wood instead of solid, splintering material. Watch for warped wood, cracks, or fungal growth, as these signs point to moisture damage and decay, requiring prompt action. If you find that your home has any of these issues on your exterior, it is important to get these areas replaced by a professional. 

Whether you need a fresh, new look to your exterior or have potential threats from wood rot or loose siding, Brac A-Cross is here to help! We specialize in exterior and interior projects that allow you to love your space while being assured it is safe and secure for your family to enjoy. If you’re ready to start a project, give us a call or visit our website for a free quote today!